Netizen 24 MYS: Expert: Good to axe MRT3, but alternative needed

Transport expert Goh Bok Yen says a new link is still needed to connect other public transport modes, while ex-SPAD chairman Syed Hamid Albar says government can consider MRT3 when economy improves.

The MRT Line 3 project was meant to link the main public transport modes on their respective routes.

PETALING JAYA: A transport expert has welcomed the governmentâs move to scrap the MRT Line 3 project given the issues with its alignment, but says there must be an alternative that will serve the same function.

Speaking to FMT, Goh Bok Yen said the MRT3 was a circle line which was supposed to link the six main public transport modes running on their respective routes.

The six modes are the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Malayan Railways or KTM, Light Rail Transit (LRT), monorail, the KLIA Express or ERL, and buses.

âThe idea is that once you board the circle line, you can access the six public transport systems.

âThis link doesnât have to be an MRT, but one that is by nature a form of rapid transit. This can be a bus, tram or a smaller type of train. It can be elevated, on the ground or even underground.â

But Goh said it was important to study and understand the ridership and plan any replacement for the MRT3 properly.

He said there were many examples overseas of rapid transit which Malaysia could follow.

âMost importantly, it has to be transit-oriented and not development-oriented. In the past, there were issues with the alignment of the MRT projects, where the track and stations were put at certain areas to push up the value of some properties.

âThis needs to be set right.â

Former Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Syed Hamid Albar also welcomed the decision to scrap the MRT3, saying now âwas nât the right timeâ.

âWe already have MRT1 and MRT2, and the cost of these projects is quite high. The ridership of MRT1 still isnât high, so thereâs no need to accelerate MRT3.

âLet the ridership build up, and once the economy is better and there is a real need, it can be considered again. Otherwise, it will be a big burden for the government and people.â

Earlier today, it was reported that Putrajaya was cancelling the MRT3 project, a day after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government was not going ahead with the RM110 billion Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed train project.

Last September, CIMB Equities Research said the MRT3 could cost between RM35 billion and RM45 billion.